I have created this interactive web site to better communicate with Key Biscayne residents.

I will share my thoughts with you about the important issues for our continued vision of making Key Biscayne a world-class community. But more important is that you share with me your thoughts and concerns about our community.

Want to share your thoughts? Click the link to the left, and let me know what's on your mind.

TAXES AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER May 2003

Like all Key Biscayne taxpayers, I am concerned about our taxes. And as your mayor, I am particularly sensitive to the effect on taxes of all decisions made by the Village Council. I know there are concerns among some residents about the costs to build and operate the planned Community Center project; that if we proceed with this project, we will have to raise taxes to pay for it, or to pay for other basic necessities such as public safety. While I respect these concerns, I do not share them. That is why I will be voting NO on Tuesday, May 20. Let me explain why.

First, it helps to understand what makes up our total tax bill, and how much the Village is able to affect. Miami-Dade County takes 83% of our tax dollars; 50% of that goes for schools, and the rest goes to the County. The Village of Key Biscayne portion of our tax bill is only 17%. This 17% covers everything: fire and police protection, public works, building & zoning, recreation, administration and debt service.

The Village’s operating budget for the current fiscal year is $ 15.5 million. $2.9 million of this amount pays for principal and interest on our current debt, which includes borrowings for the Village Green, the Fire and Police/Administration buildings and the planned Community Center. Assuming no future borrowings, the debt service payments for the next twenty years are projected to be $2.8 million per year. Since we have already borrowed the money needed to build the Community Center, we know what our principal and interest payments will be until the debt is fully paid. That is why we can build the Community Center without increasing taxes. The money to pay for this project is already included in our current and projected budgets.

Nevertheless, the concerns of some of our residents are valid. How will we pay for increases in needed services for fire and police? A sewer system? Future beach renourishment? The long list of improvements included in the annual Goals & Objectives workshop? These are valid questions, and the answers are found by looking at our projected revenues and expenses for the next few years.

Most of our revenues come from property taxes, and the tax base for the Village is still growing. As a result, our projections for the next five years show revenue growth of nearly 27% with no increase in taxes. Similarly, we are projecting our expenses to grow by a similar rate, taking into account increases in services as well as the effects of salary adjustments and inflation. These projections show an excess of revenue over expenses of approximately $1 million per year for the next five years. This amount is available to pay for any additional increases in services, as well as the items on our Goals & Objectives list. Obviously we will need to establish priorities and budget cautiously, but we will have the money to pay for these items without increasing taxes.

Residents are right to be concerned about the future well being of our community. I can assure you that the entire Village Council shares those concerns. But these concerns do not have to hold hostage our planned Community Center. The costs of this project have been looked at very carefully, and included in our five-year projections. The Village Council voted 7-0 last October to give final approval to the Community Center. My conclusion has been that this is a project that we need and that we can afford.

Key Biscayne has faced enormous decisions before: whether or not to incorporate; whether or not to create our own fire rescue and police departments; whether or not to purchase what is now the Village Green for $9 million. All these decisions and others created fears in some residents that they were not the right actions to take and that taxes would increase. In hindsight, these fears proved false, and today we enjoy the benefits of the wisdom of taking these bold actions. I predict that the decision to complete the building of the Community Center with be viewed the same.

I assure you that I will continue to scrutinize operating budgets and capital projects as your mayor, just as I have done for the past four years. I have consistently supported the Community Center project because I am convinced that it is the right project at the right size and the right cost for Key Biscayne. That is why I will be voting NO on Tuesday, May 20. I would be happy to discuss these matters with you if you have questions or concerns.

MAYOR: VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Key Biscayne Elected November 2002 for 2 year term

COUNCILMEMBER: VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE Key Biscayne Elected November 1998 for 4 year term; Vice Mayor, 2001-2002

PROJECT YES Miami Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1997-2002; currently Treasurer The mission of Project YES is to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth by initiating kialogue, providing education, and creating support systems. For more information, visit www.projectyes.org

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY New York Instructor - English as a second language

PEACE CORPS Washington, DC Peace Corps Volunteer, Afghanistan

EDUCATION:

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - MBA - Accounting/Finance TEACHERS COLLEGE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - M.ED. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY - MA - English as a second language UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT - BA - English

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Certified Public Accountant Kiwanis Club of Key Biscayne, Treasurer Activities include yoga, walking, bicycling, swimming Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Personal Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Afghanistan; Politics

My partner and I have permanently relocated to the area to be close to family and as a result I am actively networking and job seeking. (Please note that I have recently submitted my resume for the Executive Director of the YES Institute.)

I was wondering if you would be so kind as to review the enclosed materials. Should you have any suggestions or leads, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Please note that I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Ø Conduct strategic and forward planning for the agency to include project forecasting Ø Serve executive leadership function as liaison to affiliated national and regional organizations Ø Collaborate with the Building Industry Association to plan and implement capital projects serving the transitionally homeless Ø Oversee the implementation of comprehensive fund raising effort Ø Train, manage, supervise and provide professional development opportunities for staff Ø Develop and maintain print and television media relationships through a comprehensive public relations/public affairs program

Ø Conducted strategic planning and coordinated multiple fund raising efforts Ø Developed collaboration with the Building Industry Association to fund infrastructure enhancements to system of literacy and homework centers Ø Cultivated relationships with Library stake-holders including County Board of Supervisors, Library Commissioners, corporations and foundations

Ø Initiated, cultivated and maintained relationships with funding agencies Ø Developed and presented funding proposals and programming to Foundation Board of Directors Ø Coordinated grant process in the areas of technology, literacy and homework centers Ø Served as liaison to Board of Directors and library staff